Kishore Kumar known as the singer who introduced yoodelling in Indian Films had a multi-faceted personality - a singer par excellence, a brilliant actor, one of the greatest comedians, music composer and film producer/director that HFM has ever produced. He started his singing career at a tender age of 18, though he did not know even the rudiments of music. But its his talent that took him to such unattainable heights.

Mohammed Rafi was one of the greatest forces in the history of the Indian sub-continent culture. His Immortal Golden Voice still rules the hearts of millions of Indian music lovers the world over. In his music circles he was simply known as 'The Voice', because he was so famous for the way he put his heart and soul into every rendition.

Mukesh, the most soothing singer of yester years had the innocence in his voice that made simple compositions stand out from the other. No other singer was capable of projecting emotions in their raw, unfurnished state the way he could. He projected emotions, raw emotions that could leave an impact for a lifetime, just in those few minutes that took to record a song. His voice had that extraordinary sweetness. Whatever be the situation, his singing would merge so well, that anybody would be caught in his spell.

For someone whose singing career spanned over five decades, legendary playback singer Manna Dey comes across as the epitome of modesty.A perfectionist to the core,he is the only artiste who makes notations before recording a song,so that he can sing and record a song just after one rehearsal. Manna Dey always marshalled all his resources to render his songs to the highest standards he was capable of achieving to the demands of the moment.Till date there is no Indian language which has been deprived of the melody of this Genius.

With his deep but passionate voice and melodic sensibility, Hemant Kumar(Hemanta Kumar Mukherjee) helped steer the evolution of post-World War II Indian music.Well-known for his interpretations of Rabindranath Tagore's songs, Kumar was equally influential as a composer. In addition to scoring more than 150 Bengali films and 50 Hindi films,Kumar wrote an estimated 2,000 songs. He is truly a living legend who has surpassed his time through music.Though Hemant Kumar has left the mortal world yet he remains alive to all his admirers through his countless songs - immortal melodies in the history of Indian music.

Between the 1940s and the 1960s, there was one voice that was the soul of romance itself - Talat Mehmood. Talat Mehmood was a precocious talent and was just 16 years old when he first sang for All India Radio. He started as a playback singer in the Bengali film industry where he acted in a couple of movies also.By 1949, however, he had moved to Bombay. He acted in several films - Sone Ki Chidiya, Malik, Dak Bungalow, Waris, Raftaar and others, however his rendition of Jalte Hain Jiske Liye was what made him the most sought after playback singer in HFM.

A Charismatic singer with a soft voice, full of expressions and it resonates in the air. Amit Kumar has a very simple history, born in a natural-musically-inclined Ganguly family he has to his credit, over 1000 songs in may languages. He has composed and sang in few pop music albums like "Mad", "Pyaar To Bas Pyaar Hai", "Dam Dama Dam" - naturally displaying his multi-talented personality similar to his legendary father. He even he has acted in few movies.

The ageless diva and the supreme voice of popular Indian music, an Indian institution.If India had a voice, Lata Mangeshkar would be its articulation. The playback singer who made her debut in 1947 attaining career span of six decades,Mangeshkar has sung for almost all the heroines who walked across the silver screen. From Madhubala, Meena Kumari, Waheeda Rehman, Nutan to Madhuri Dixit,Urmila,Kajol and Preity Zinta, the diva has fired romance, pain, hope and nationalism with her soulful renditions. Her rendition of Aye Mere Watan ke Logon sends the nation into a patriotic tizzy, even today. Such are the perennial splendours of her songs.Lata's aura, her charisma and her persona make for a fascinating life story - a success story without parallel in the annals of popular music.

What goes up must come down. That is the rule of nature. And when Newton discovered the law of gravity, perhaps, he forgot to talk about the exception. Or how could you explain the rise and rise of Asha Bhosle. The phenomenon is growing by leaps and bounds every day. Yes! One cannot say anything but that she is not governed by the laws of nature.Playful love songs or lusty cabaret numbers, soulful ghazals or funky pop,Bhosle's trod everywhere, with aplomb.There is so much to do and I'm afraid there is very little time left. I hope I can continue singing in my next birth." Asha has sung over 20,000 songs in 14 languages (most notably Hindi and Marathi) for three generations of Indians. None can match the oomph, sensuality, innocence, ebullience and all those things that are so synonymous with her voice...

The first thing that strikes one when you hear her sing was that she never sang. She just glided through a tune. Of all her contemporaries her musical training was perhaps the sketchiest but what she lacked in training and technique, she more than made it up with her ability to breathe life and emotion into any song she was singing.There was a rare swing in her voice, she hit you like a thunderclap.Give her a blatantly westernized tune this moment & a complex classical composition the next and she will do equal justice to both with an ease of expression which a singer can only be born with. She is particularly good for songs accompanying boisterous jamborees.She was the ideal choice if it is seductive allure you want in a song. Geeta Dutt was an asset to any music director

She is the nasal voiced legendary classical and playback singer of yesteryears,who made her debut on radio in Lahore in 1937. The Amritsar-born singer captivatedthe hearts of listeners with the enchanting depth of her voice. Most of her songs were memorable hits. Even the one rendered in 1960s for Kismat, after her retirement: "Kajra mohabbatwala ankhiyon mein aisa dala" composed by O.P. Nayyar, proved a superhit. Herduet with Kishore Kumar, "Meri neendon main tum, meri khwabon mein tum" from Naya Andaz(composed by O.P.Nayyar), similarly, remains almost a touchstone of melodious romance.

It is a curious thing that R D Burman also goes by the name of Pancham Da. The man who added his unique dash of pep and verve in to Hindi film music starting with the 60s. The first music director who added a pinch of Rock n' Roll to lilting Hindi tunes. And created a brand of music so distinctly his own, that even his father, the older Burman came to be so proud of his son's unconventional music.

Sachin Dev Burman was a titan amongst composers for HFM and was an excellent singer. He started his career as a playback singer in the 1930s but his true calling was as a composer and he ruled HFM for the next three decades as its most successful MD.Be it a classical number or one with a folksy touch, or a cabaret piece, Dada excelled in all to become the most versatile composer of his time. As a class singer himself, Dada knew the weaknesses of all great singers and therefore could draw the best out of them.

Salil Choudhury, one of the greatest musical talents India ever had is such a genius.He was a man a of many talents - an outstanding composer, an accomplished and gifted arranger, poet and writer and above all an intellectual. He could play a number of instruments with elan, including flute, Esraj, violin and piano , which is evident from their creative use in his music.

This musical gifted emperor's ability to create tunes was like an illimitable ocean. Some of his most loved compositions, for example, Aapki nazron ne samjha, came to him in a jiffy.His ghazals have no parallel & he was very,very particular about the sur and other components of the compositions.His career, which began in earnest in 1950 with Aankhen, was a litany of 'wows'. Critics and connoisseurs alike raved over Madan Mohan's songs. But the charts told another story. Almost 80% Madan Mohan's classic melodies went to less popular movies .The continued failure of his films and the changing environment in the industry led to depression.Its sad, but despite his obvious talent he had to settle for lesser films.

Naushad Ali regarded as one of the greatest Music Directors of Indian Cinema made an artistic and commercial breakthrough by using classical Indian music, until then considered too elitist or highbrow for popular entertainment.The industry believed that any diversion from India's film music formula would hurt box office receipts, but Naushad's instincts spun gold.Naushad used to study every aspect of his tunes thoroughly. If he weren't satisfied with even one word, he would ask the lyricist to write the whole line. He would take a fortnight to compose a single song and often would compose music for just two films a year.Such a perfectionist is Naushad Saab!!

Shankar Jaikishan were one of the most successful teams in the history of hindi film music. They understood the taste of the masses, were able to cater to them, and were able to mould the taste of the masses. This phenomenal legendry duo created music which is versatile as it is unmatched. Their versatility and popularity can be gauged by the fact that they were honoured with the maximum number (nine) of Filmfare awards.

Laxmikant Pyarelal need no introduction in the field of Hindustani Film Music. The extraordinary legacy created by this dynamic duo in more than 450 films , continued to ride a wave of popularity for four decades. Duo have churned out some unforgettable hit songs, in movies that are still hummed by today's generation and many more to come. They worked with nearly every prominent film producer and director.They remain one of the most prolific and popular songwriting duo to emerge from Hindi Cinema.

As one of the pioneers of east/west fusion music in HFM Kalyanji - Anandji’s forte was sweet and simple melody with a modern flavour given to a classical base. Though they won very few music awards because for their total disregard for them, the eclectic sound they created had a huge fan following and created a hit music making streak which lasted till the eighties. Their discography includes Qubani, Lawaaris, Yudh, Janbaaz, Don, Johny Mera Naam, Blackmail and other unforgettable ditties.

Rajesh Roshan comes from an impeccable musical heritage, being the son of the legendary composer Roshan. His first independent break came with Mehmood's Kunwara Baap. The 1970s was truly a Rajesh Roshan period, for he composed one masterpiece after another. His style lay in his strong orchestration, and he was soon able to evolve a distinct style of his own creating gems in Kala patthar , Khatta Meetha , Baaton Baaton Mein, Julie and the more recent Kaho Na Pyar Hain

Born in a family which had a very rich tradition in classical music,Bappi Lahiri stands out as one of the most popular & successful music composers in Bollywood. His music blasts out of car radios and ghetto blasters wherever Indian popular music is heard. Bappida, as he is more popularly known, will be remembered for at least one reason,he is the man who introduced Disco Music in Hindi Films.

MemorabiliaThis is the perfect forum for discussing topics related to various articles,rare pictures,albums and new product launches involving HFM Artists.This will act as an important database for any music lover to refer to for specific informations related to the artist.Forum Led by: TeamOurHFM